Alright so Pinata(I'm ignoring the Spanish N, sue me) is a project that consist of two complete opposites that found themselves in the studio tryna make chemistry from one another. And i'm all for experimentation, cause that's how music grows and whatnot. But kinda strange when you combine a ganster rapper such as Freddie Gibbs to a producer who's beats are very random, jazzy, and above all, unique. Trust when I say Madlib's beats are anything but simple. Prime example would be his input in Madvillainy, an album that has special place in my collection(Yes I own it). Even from his projects as Quasimoto aka Lord Quas, Madlib strays away from simple. I'm a big fan of Madlib, but I can't say the same for Freddie Gibbs. It's not the fault of Senor Gibbs but more of the whole Gangster rap music(And yes there is a difference between Gangster and Mafioso ight?). So when I first heard the news that Madlib and Gibbs teaming up for a project that consisted of full production from Madlib. Well, I couldn't help but create a sign of interest. Cause maybe, this project would be great, since i'm still impatiently waiting on Madvillainy 2(Sigh). When the first two singles dropped, I gotta admit, that increased my anticipation on the albums cause damn, those tracks were nice! At that point I wanted to hear how they would sound as a whole, all together with the other tracks on here. But more importantly, I'm happy to hear another project with Madlib on it.
Oh, I'm sure Gibbs will sound great too...
1. Supplier
Another one of those intros where nothing happens, moving along...
2. Scarface
Now this is a much more appropriate intro to this b. Gibbs takes us into the life of a street thug where as Madlib does his smooth sampling as usual. Real talk, this is pretty good, it's always interesting hearing the many different ways rappers will say someone died. Well, at least for me.
3. Deeper
Madlib's eerie production and soulful singing samples catch me on this one. But what I found more impressive was Gibb's storytelling. For real, this had me hooked till the end. Hoes will be hoes Gibbs fosho, but till you making that dough, in the words of Gibbs himself "Well bitch, how you get the number?
Like every other month I'm switching up that motherfucker."
4. High
I'm a get it out of the way, I don't like Danny Brown's voice/delivery. Hell nah, I ain't even down with that. And here again, I can't stand his voice. Agh, dude doesn't fit the beat. Cause this track is mellow and high key that Danny sounds like he's strugglin' with his over the top delivery. Other then that, the track was pretty good.
5. Harold's
Madlib's beat on here is straight fire! There's so many elements in this that you might think it'll go into a different direction and you'll be completely wrong. Gibbs does a great job on here as he does a "tribute" to the quote on quote "a skinny bitch." Definitely a great track.
6. Bomb
The Coke rap/Mafioso legend known as Raekwon aka the Chef cookin' up some marvelous shit appears on this track and he does his thing. It's what you'd expect from the Chef at this point. But Gibbs, goes in on this track. Possible renegade on Raekwon? Perhaps...
7. Shitsville
This track bangs! Damn Gibbs goes in over one of the most up beat instrumentals on here. Gibbs takes this opportunity to compare everyone to himself, saying "acting like yo shit don't stank" cause we know it does. Only different is Gibbs embraces the gangsta life where we hide it. Great track.
8. Thuggin'
The first single to come out, and this track is nice! This was the track that had me on board with this project, and for a good reason too. Madlib's instrumental is on another level with the various Chinese guitar strings tinkling throughout the whole instrumental. Gibbs also sounds great on here doin' his gangsta thing you've come to known from him. Flawless track.
9. Real
This track was alright until the halfway point. Now that's where shit got real. The beat switches to a beautiful one and from there Gibbs switches his flow from straight spittin' to a more calm, slow one. Oh, and he also explains how fucking real he is.
10. Uno
Honestly, I can't remember anything from this track other then the nice beat.
11. Robes
Domo Genesis and Earl Sweatshirt come through on this track, and it's hard to find a bad feature from these two cause they usually come through with fire. And you'll have to keep looking cause they come on here and contribute two nice verses that stick to the image Gibbs was going for. Madlib's instrumental is peaceful and somewhat harmonic. The delicate guitar that strings through the beat. And I can't forget the beautiful singing that goes through the entirety of the track. Definitely a highlight on here. Gibbs' singing at the end also made me chuckle so it's all good.
12. Broken
Another beautiful track, damn what is up with all these soulful shit, hittin' me in the soul. You kinda see the softer side of Gibbs' thuggin' lifestyle. The side of being a broken man from a broke lifestyle. Scarface's contribution adds more to the track with his perspective on money and poverty. Damn son, hitting me b.
13. Lakers
This track is a banger! Ab-Soul, which i'm alright about, drops a great verse on here. And Polyester the Saint(dafuq?) does a soulful chorus that fits the vibe Madlib did with his jazzy instrumental. This is a tribute to the West Coast, and since I am from there, gotta say, this is my shit.
14. Knicks
You probably thinkin' this is some tribute to the East Coast now cause ya know, Lakers = L.A. Knicks = N.Y. But it really isn't. It's more of finding yourself in the same situations even when life's change. Honestly, I prefer Lakers over this.
15. Shame
Alright so after Thuggin' came out, I was hoping for more singles to get an idea of what to expect. Then this was released, and let's just say my expectations fucking skyrocketed. This track is on another level b. The soulful singing on here you just can't fuck with. Madlib just out done himself, and supposedly the singing isn't a sample, god damn. Gibbs sound great on here too, with more broken heart type rap. Damn...
16. Watts
Interlude...?
17. Piñata
A posse track to end the album. That consist of: Casey Veggies, Domo Genesis, G-Wiz, Mac Miller, Meechy Darko & Sulaiman(Yeah, it's over 8 minutes). Now I won't say I fuck with everyone's verses(I'm talking to you Meechy Darko, fight me), but for 8 minutes, there was not a time where I wasn't interested. Which for me, is a W for Gibbs, Madlib, and everyone on this track(...even Meechy Darko).
P.S. Mac Miller kills this shit.
Alright so that's it, the long awaited Pinata that Freddie Gibbs & Madlib promised a few years back. And for the most part, I'd say it was actually a damn great project. Because even when I wasn't a fan of Freddie Gibbs, hearing this made me interested into what he'd be releasing next. Which is a achievement there. Madlib's production truly shines on here, and it's nice to hear another project where it's fully produced by the Beat Konducta. Having Freddie Gibbs as the main rapper was a risky move, but in the end, it paid off nicely and this album will definitely be on repeat for the next year and it will also be my cope until Madvillainy 2 drops, hopefully. Now this album isn't perfect it does have its minor snags, but hell for the most part this albums is consistent from production to rapping. Gibbs' flow might get bothersome as he does use the same flow for the majority of these track, but trust you will get used to it and it will pay off once you do cause you'll be enjoying these tracks much more. I kinda wanna say I want to hear a follow up to this album. But in the meantime, I'm enjoying what they've given us.
Cop or Drop: For real support em', go buy one, or two of you want. Then maybe they'll make another album together.
Best Tracks: "Thuggin", "Robes", "Broken", "Lakers", "Shame"
